PCT elects Aquiles Castro as new Secretary General at its XI National Congress

Santo Domingo.- Under the slogan “The party, the struggle of the working class, popular masses and the revolution, is a matter of revolutionary consciousness”, the Communist Party of Labor (PCT) announced the completion of its XI National Congress. The event marked a milestone in the organization with the election of Aquiles Castro as the new general secretary, succeeding Manuel Salazar. The election of Aquiles Castro, a recognized militant with a history since the 70s in the MPD and founder of the PCT in 1980, symbolizes the unwavering unity of the party. Castro was presented by the outgoing general secretary, Manuel Salazar (who held the position since 1994), and had the endorsement of Rafael Chaljub Mejía, the organization's first general secretary (1980-1994). With this relay, the PCT ratifies its commitment to the principles of Marxism-Leninism and the struggle for a democratic and anti-imperialist revolution with a socialist perspective. During the congress, the organization conducted an analysis of the national situation, in which it warned about what it considers a setback and risk to national sovereignty and the growth of conservative currents in the Dominican Republic. In that context, it questioned the presence of US troops in military and civilian installations in the country, pointing out that these actions represent a threat to national independence and reflect a foreign policy aligned with hegemonic interests.

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Likewise, the PCT expressed strong criticism of the current government's management, to which it attributes numerous cases of corruption and an alleged attitude of subordination to the United States.  In its political assessment, the congress also warned about the rise of conservatism, xenophobia, and the restriction of democratic rights, elements that, according to the organization, configure a worrying scenario for national political life. In the international arena, the XI Congress reaffirmed its solidarity with Cuba and Venezuela and denounced the return of the Monroe Doctrine in Latin America, situating these processes within a geopolitical context marked by the rise of new powers and the strengthening of blocs such as the BRICS, seen by the party as a counterweight to the traditional financial order.

Towards 2028: Unified political option for the 2028 elections

As a strategic resolution, the PCT announced that it will actively work to build a unified political option for the 2028 elections. This commitment seeks to group the "democratic, patriotic, and leftist reserves" (both organic and non-organic) to overcome historical electoral performance and challenge the power of the traditional elites. "The impetus for the struggle of the working class and popular masses is the main and most urgent task of our party," concluded the final declaration of the event.